Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has cautioned that President Bola Tinubu will be risking his re-election if he drops Vice-President Kashim Stettima as running mate.
There have been claims that Shettima is being sidelined and may likely not return as Tinubu’s vice in 2027.
However, the APC Forum is warning that Tinubu could lose nearly 80 percent of Northern Muslims’ votes should he replace Shettima.
Chairman of the forum, Saleh Zazzaga, said retaining Shettima was central to Tinubu’s victory.
According to him, those pushing for Shettima’s removal never supported Tinubu in the last election and would not back him in 2027, regardless of any change.
“Those that are calling on President Bola Tinubu to change Vice President Kashim Shettima, basing their agitation on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, if you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party,” he said.
He added that the Muslim-Muslim ticket could not hurt the party in the Middle Belt.
The Chairman of the group argued that influential Christians from the region already occupy top positions in Tinubu’s government, including Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman, and George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had said Tinubu would choose his 2027 running mate after the next convention of the ruling party.
Onanuga added that in a presidential system, the candidate is nominated before selecting a running mate.
The APC in recent times has faced uncertainty over the fear that Shettima may not return as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Some Northerners, especially the Christian dominated areas, have been clamouring to have Shettima’s position.
Prior to the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket was an issue.
The matter has now resurfaced, with fresh demand for a balance of the ticket.
